Toy building block

ABSTRACT

A toy block for a snap-fit type construction system is disclosed herein. The toy block includes a first surface. The toy block also includes a plurality of first knobs projecting from and perpendicular to the first surface. The toy block also includes a second surface intersecting and perpendicular to the first surface. The toy block also includes a plurality of second knobs projecting from and perpendicular to the second surface. The first plurality of knobs and the second plurality of knobs have similar shapes and sizes.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 61/384,254 for TOY BUILDING BLOCKS, filed on Sep.18, 2010, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to toys such as building blocks that can bereleasibly connected to one another.

2. Description of Related Prior Art

Lego® toy building structures include bricks and panels with a pluralityof projections called knobs. In a standard Lego® system, the knobs arespaced apart longitudinally and transversely by a distance ofapproximately 8.0 mm (0.315 inch). A standard Lego® brick for generaluse is measured as 8×8 mm and has a single knob on it which measuresØ4.8 mm×1.6 mm high. The opposite side of a standard Lego® brick has areceiving hole to accommodate a knob. Now, when Lego® bricks are placedon top of one another or on a Lego® plate, they cause friction. Toreduce friction and to make building easier, a slight gap is allowedbetween bricks. This gap or space measures about 0.2 mm. Subtract the0.2 mm and the actual size of the smallest standard Lego® brick is7.8×7.8 mm. To get the size of any standard Lego® brick, multiply thenumber of knobs in one direction by 8 mm and subtract 0.2 mm. This willgive you the actual size for that dimension. The formula goes like this:n×8−0.2=actual brick size. So for example, a 4×4 standard Lego® brick is4 knobs wide and 4 knobs long. Multiply each set by 8 and you get 32×32mm. Subtract 0.2 mm from each one and the actual Lego® brick size is31.8×31.8 mm.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In summary, the invention is a toy block for a snap-fit typeconstruction system. The toy block includes a first surface. The toyblock also includes a plurality of first knobs projecting from andperpendicular to the first surface. The toy block also includes a secondsurface intersecting and perpendicular to the first surface. The toyblock also includes a plurality of second knobs projecting from andperpendicular to the second surface. The first plurality of knobs andthe second plurality of knobs have similar shapes and sizes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated as thesame becomes better understood by reference to the following detaileddescription when considered in connection with the accompanying drawingswherein:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a panel that can be used to form acube, resulting in a 3-dimensional geometric shape having Lego-styleknobs extending in directions transverse to one another;

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the panel shown in FIG. 1, showingan interlocking feature;

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the panel shown in FIG. 1, showing theinterlocking feature;

FIG. 4 is a front view of the panel shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the panel shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of a first 3-dimensional geometricshape having Lego-style knobs extending in directions transverse to oneanother;

FIG. 7 is a front view of the 3-dimensional geometric shape shown inFIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of a receiver structure complementaryto the 3-dimensional geometric shape shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of two 3-dimensional geometric shapes andtwo receiving structures engaged together;

FIG. 10 is a front perspective view of a second 3-dimensional geometricshape having Lego-style knobs extending in directions transverse to oneanother;

FIG. 11 is a front perspective view of a third 3-dimensional geometricshape having Lego-style knobs extending in directions transverse to oneanother; and

FIG. 12 is a front perspective view of a fourth 3-dimensional geometricshape having Lego-style knobs extending in directions transverse to oneanother.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

A plurality of different embodiments of the invention is shown in theFigures of the application. Similar features are shown in the variousembodiments of the invention. Similar features have been numbered with acommon reference numeral and have been differentiated by an alphabeticsuffix. Also, to enhance consistency, the structures in any particulardrawing generally share the same alphabetic suffix even if a particularfeature is shown in less than all embodiments. Similar features arestructured similarly, operate similarly, and/or have the same functionunless otherwise indicated by the drawings or this specification.Furthermore, particular features of one embodiment can replacecorresponding features in another embodiment or can supplement otherembodiments unless otherwise indicated by the drawings or thisspecification.

FIGS. 1, 2, 4, and 5 show an exemplary first surface 12 and an exemplaryplurality of first knobs 14 integrally-formed with respect to oneanother, forming a first panel 16. “Integrally-formed” refers to thefact that in the exemplary embodiment the first surface 12 and theplurality of first knobs 14 are formed together rather than being formedseparately and then subsequently joined. The term defines a structuralfeature since structures that are integrally-formed are structurallydifferent than structures that are comprised of subcomponents formedseparately and then subsequently joined. “Integral” means consisting orcomposed of parts that together constitute a whole and thus encompassesstructures of more than one part wherein the parts are eitherintegrally-formed or formed separately and then subsequently joined. Theexemplary first knobs 14 are Lego®-style knobs.

The exemplary first panel 16 also includes a plurality of firstprojections 18 extending from an opposite side of the first panel 16relative to the plurality of first knobs 14. See FIGS. 1-3 and 5. Theexemplary first panel 16 also includes a plurality of second projections20 extending from an opposite side of the first panel 16 relative to theplurality of first knobs 14. The first and second projections 18, 20 ofthe first panel 16 engage projections of a second panel to releasiblyengage the first panel 16 and the second panel together. For example,the first projections 18 of the first panel 16 engage the secondprojections of the second panel. Similarly, the second projections 20 ofthe first panel 16 engage the first projections of the second panel.

In the exemplary embodiment, the first and second projections 20 areshaped differently from one another. The first projections 18 arecylindrically-shaped in cross-section and the second projections 20 areI-shaped in cross-section. During assembly of two panels, each of thesecond projections 20 of the first panel 16 is urged between two of thefirst projections 18 of a second panel when the first panel 16 isconnected to the second panel. The gap between two projections 18 andthe width of each projection 20 can be selected so that the secondprojection 20 is pressed between two projections 18, to enhance thelikelihood that two panels will remain connected together. The exemplaryarrangement thus allows the number of first projections 18 (such asthree) to be different than the number of second projections 20 (such astwo). Other approaches to joining two panels can be applied inalternative embodiments of the broader invention disclosed herein.

FIG. 6 shows a toy block 10 for a snap-fit type construction system. Thetoy block 10 includes a first surface 12. The toy block 10 also includesa plurality of first knobs 14 projecting from and perpendicular to thefirst surface 12. The toy block 10 also includes a second surface 24intersecting and perpendicular to the first surface 12. The first andsecond surfaces 12, 24 intersect along an edge 26. The toy block 10 alsoincludes a plurality of second knobs 28 projecting from andperpendicular to the second surface 24. The plurality of first knobs 14and the plurality of knobs 28 have similar shapes and sizes. Theexemplary second surface 24 and second knobs 28 are integrally formedwith respect to one another as a second panel 30.

Like the first panel 16, the second panel 30 can include a plurality offirst projections and a plurality of second projections extending froman opposite side of the second panel 30 relative to the plurality ofsecond knobs 28. Alternatively, the first surface 12 and the secondsurface 24 can be integrally formed with respect to one another. Sixpanels could be combined to form a 3-dimensional geometric shape, suchas the cube shown in FIG. 3. Alternatively, all of the structuralfeatures of the cube shown in FIG. 3 can be integrally formed.

In addition to the first and second panels 16, 30, the toy block 10 canbe formed from four other similar panels. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, athird panel 32 can be releasibly engaged with the first and secondpanels 16, 30. The third panel 32 can define a third surface 34intersecting and perpendicular to both of the first and second surfaces12, 24. The third surface 34 can intersect the first surface 12 along anedge 38. The third surface 34 can intersect the second surface 24 alongan edge 40. The third panel 32 can also include a plurality of thirdknobs 36 projecting from and perpendicular to the third surface 34.

As shown in FIG. 7, the toy block 10 can be formed from four, fifth, andsixth panels 42, 44, 46. The fourth panel 42 can be releasibly engagedwith the second panel 30, the third panel 32, the fifth panel 44, andthe sixth panel 46. The fifth panel 44 can be releasibly engaged withthe first panel 16, second panel 30, the fourth panel 42, and the sixthpanel 46. The sixth panel 46 can be releasibly engaged with the firstpanel 16, the third panel 32, the fourth panel 42, and the fifth panel44.

The fourth panel 42 can include a fourth surface 48 intersecting andperpendicular to the third surface 34. A plurality of fourth knobs 50can project from and be perpendicular to the fourth surface 48. Thefifth panel 42 can include a fifth surface 52 intersecting andperpendicular to the third surface 34. A plurality of fifth knobs 54 canproject from and be perpendicular to the fifth surface 52. The sixthpanel 42 can include a sixth surface 56 intersecting and perpendicularto the third surface 34. A plurality of sixth knobs 58 can project fromand be perpendicular to the sixth surface 56. The plurality of firstknobs 14 and the plurality of second knobs 28 the plurality of thirdknobs 36 and the plurality of fourth knobs 50 the plurality of fifthknobs 54 and the plurality of sixth knobs 58 have similar shapes andsizes, all can be Lego® style knobs.

The toy block 10 can be one member of a snap-fit type constructionsystem. Such a system can also include a receiver structure 60 as shownin FIG. 8. The receiver structure 60 can include a panel portion 62 anda plurality of first receptacles 64 defined on a first side of the panelportion 62. The receiver structure 60 can also include a plurality ofsecond receptacles defined on a second side of the panel portion 62. Thesecond receptacles are not shown in FIG. 8, but can be similar to thefirst receptacles 64. Each of the first and second receptacles can beoperable to receive any one of the first knobs 14, the second knobs 28,the third knobs 36, the fourth knobs 50, the fifth knobs 54, and thesixth knobs 58. FIG. 9 shows the receiver structure 60 engaged with thetoy block 10. FIG. 9 also shows a second receiver structure 60 a engagedwith the toy block 10 and with a second toy block 10 a. The receiverstructure 60, the toy block 10, the second receiver structure 60 a, andthe second toy block 10 a are releasibly engaged with one another.

Embodiments of the invention can be practiced wherein interconnectingtoy blocks and/or interconnecting panels used to form toy blocks aredifferently shaped. For example, FIG. 10 shows a toy block 10 bincluding a first panel 16 b of hexagonal shape and a second panel 30 bof square shape. FIG. 11 shows a toy block 10 c including a first panel16 c of triangular shape and a second panel 30 c of square shape. Thedifferently shaped panels can have different numbers of knobs, as shownby comparing the first panels 16 b and 16 c in FIGS. 10 and 11.

These differently shaped arrangements also accommodate differentrelationships among the various surfaces bearing knobs. In FIG. 10, asecond surface 24 b of the second panel 30 b intersects but is notparallel to a third surface 34 b of a third panel 32 b. FIG. 11 alsoshows a second surface 24 c of the second panel 30 c intersects but isnot parallel to a third surface 34 c of a third panel 32 c.

FIG. 12 shows a toy block 10 d in which panels are arranged to formcoplanar surfaces. The hexagonal toy block 10 b shown in FIG. 10 ismodified to a toy block 10 d in FIG. 12 by adding additional squarepanels. For example, individual panels defining surfaces 24 d, 66 d, 68d, 70 d are releasibly engaged together such that the surfaces 24 d, 66d, 68 d, 70 d are coplanar. Other sides of the toy block 10 d aresimilarly-shaped, resulting in a generally cylindrical toy block.

While the invention has been described with reference to an exemplaryembodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art thatvarious changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted forelements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. Inaddition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situationor material to the teachings of the invention without departing from theessential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the inventionnot be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best modecontemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the inventionwill include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appendedclaims. Further, the “invention” as that term is used in this documentis what is claimed in the claims of this document. The right to claimelements and/or sub-combinations that are disclosed herein as otherinventions in other patent documents is hereby unconditionally reserved.

What is claimed is:
 1. A toy block for a snap-fit type constructionsystem comprising: a first surface; a plurality of first knobsprojecting from and perpendicular to said first surface; a secondsurface intersecting and perpendicular to said first surface; and aplurality of second knobs projecting from and perpendicular to saidsecond surface, wherein said plurality of first knobs and said pluralityof second knobs have similar shapes and sizes.
 2. The toy block of claim1 wherein said first surface and said second surface are integrallyformed with respect to one another.
 3. The toy block of claim 1 wherein:said first surface and said plurality of first knobs areintegrally-formed with respect to one another as a first panel; and saidsecond surface and said plurality of second knobs are integrally-formedwith respect to one another as a second panel, said first and secondpanels being releasibly engaged together.
 4. The toy block of claim 3wherein each of said first and second panels further comprises: aplurality of first projections extending from an opposite side of saidrespective panel relative to said respective plurality of knobs; and aplurality of second projections extending from an opposite side of saidrespective panel relative to said respective plurality of knobs, whereinsaid first and second projections are shaped differently from oneanother.
 5. The toy block of claim 4 wherein said plurality of firstprojections are cylindrically-shaped in cross-section and said pluralityof second projections are I-shaped in cross-section.
 6. The toy block ofclaim 3 wherein each of said first and second panels further comprises:a plurality of first projections extending from an opposite side of saidrespective panel relative to said respective plurality of knobs; and aplurality of second projections extending from an opposite side of saidrespective panel relative to said respective plurality of knobs, whereinat least one of said plurality of first projections is pressed betweentwo of said plurality of second projections when said first and secondpanels are engaged together.
 7. The toy block of claim 3 wherein each ofsaid first and second panels further comprises: a plurality of firstprojections extending from an opposite side of said respective panelrelative to said respective plurality of knobs; and a plurality ofsecond projections extending from an opposite side of said respectivepanel relative to said respective plurality of knobs, wherein the numberof said plurality of first projections is different than the number ofsaid plurality of second projections.
 8. The toy block of claim 3wherein said first panel and said second panel are differently shaped.9. The toy block of claim 3 wherein said first panel is triangular andsaid second panel is rectangular.
 10. The toy block of claim 1 whereinthe number of first knobs is different than the number of second knobs.11. The toy block of claim 1 further comprising: a third surfaceintersecting both of said first and second surfaces and perpendicular tosaid first surface; a plurality of third knobs projecting from andperpendicular to said third surface; a fourth surface intersecting bothof said first and second and third surfaces and perpendicular to saidfirst surface; a plurality of fourth knobs projecting from andperpendicular to said fourth surface, wherein said plurality of firstknobs and said plurality of second knobs and said plurality of thirdknobs and said plurality of fourth knobs have similar shapes and sizes.12. A toy block for a snap-fit type construction system comprising: afirst surface; a plurality of first knobs projecting from andperpendicular to said first surface; a second surface intersecting andperpendicular to said first surface; a plurality of second knobsprojecting from and perpendicular to said second surface; a thirdsurface intersecting and perpendicular to both of said first and secondsurfaces; a plurality of third knobs projecting from and perpendicularto said third surface; a fourth surface intersecting and perpendicularto both of said first and third surfaces; a plurality of fourth knobsprojecting from and perpendicular to said fourth surface; a fifthsurface intersecting and perpendicular to all of said first and secondand fourth surfaces; a plurality of fifth knobs projecting from andperpendicular to said fifth surface; a sixth surface intersecting andperpendicular to all of said second and third and fourth and fifthsurfaces; a plurality of sixth knobs projecting from and perpendicularto said sixth surface, wherein said plurality of first knobs and saidplurality of second knobs said plurality of third knobs and saidplurality of fourth knobs said plurality of fifth knobs and saidplurality of sixth knobs have similar shapes and sizes.
 13. A snap-fittype construction system of toy blocks comprising: at least one toyblock having: a first surface; a plurality of first knobs projectingfrom and perpendicular to said first surface; a second surfaceintersecting and perpendicular to said first surface; a plurality ofsecond knobs projecting from and perpendicular to said second surface; athird surface intersecting and perpendicular to said first surface; aplurality of third knobs projecting from and perpendicular to said thirdsurface; a fourth surface intersecting and perpendicular to said firstsurface; and a plurality of fourth knobs projecting from andperpendicular to said fourth surface, wherein said plurality of firstknobs and said plurality of second knobs and said plurality of thirdknobs and said plurality of fourth knobs have similar shapes and sizes.14. The snap-fit type construction system of claim 13 furthercomprising: a receiver structure having a panel portion, a plurality offirst receptacles defined on a first side of said panel portion, and aplurality of second receptacles defined on a second side of said panelportion, wherein each of said first and second receptacles are operableto receive any one of said first knobs and said second knobs and saidthird knobs and said fourth knobs.
 15. The snap-fit type constructionsystem of claim 13 wherein: said first surface and said plurality offirst knobs are integrally-formed with respect to one another as a firstpanel; and said second surface and said plurality of second knobs areintegrally-formed with respect to one another as a second panel, saidfirst and second panels being releasibly engaged together.
 16. Thesnap-fit type construction system of claim 15 further comprising: afifth surface intersecting and parallel to said second surface; and aplurality of fifth knobs projecting from and perpendicular to said fifthsurface, said fifth surface and said plurality of fifth knobs areintegrally-formed with respect to one another as a fifth panel, whereinsaid second and fifth panels being releasibly engaged together.
 17. Thesnap-fit type construction system of claim 13 wherein said at least onetoy block is hexagonal in shape.
 18. The snap-fit type constructionsystem of claim 13 wherein said at least one toy block is prism-shaped.